high above the tuillerie
float the butterfly and me
along the champs elysee we
alight amidst the ancient trees
the arch de triomph monument
to human effort so misspent
a shadow of the past presents
escaping through your grasp like sand
while on your shoulder beauty lands
for we on puffs of air are free
to play and live eternally
the butterfly francais and me.

dictated by mom.  it made me cry as she told it to me.  i think that she is happy.  that is all i ever wanted.